National Civility Month is an excellent opportunity to reflect on how we demonstrate these values through our interactions with others and through our work when supporting patients and colleagues.
August is National Civility Month
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines civility as “civilized conduct, especially courtesy and politeness.”
National Civility Month is an excellent opportunity to reflect on how we demonstrate these values through our interactions with others and through our work when supporting patients and colleagues. This generates a sense of belonging, connectedness, and collaboration.
There are numerous ways you can express your support for National Civility Month:
- Practice civility. Being kind and polite when we speak and collaborate with others. Respecting those who are different from you.
- Inspire civility. When we perform acts of civility to others, there are means to inspire others by encouraging your acts of kindness.
- Shine a light on kindness. Acknowledging and greeting colleagues and treating patients with consideration. Let those know how it makes you feel when someone shows you kindness.
Civility as public mindedness: By endorsing civility, we can have an inclusive environment, lessen division, and create an environment where mutual understanding and collaboration stand. We can live in a more compassionate and peaceful world. Workplace civility increases productivity, says Georgetown University professor Christine Porath.
As colleagues, let’s use National Civility Month as a year-round reminder to ensure everyone is respected and valued for who they are and for the impeccably diverse qualities they bring to the job.
Source:
Anonymous. (2022). Respectful workplace blog. Media partners.
The contributor is Virginia Lee, LCSW-R, PsyD student. STEM Parents.
Reformed TRI/13.1. Swim Across America.
